Abstract: Two embodiments of a method of decoding information stored in a two-dimensional barcode printed on a printed medium are introduced. Both embodiments provide an improved method of analyzing horizontal and vertical edge count arrays to identify the column and row centerlines therein to enable the subsequent reading of the binary data located at the intersection of each row centerline and column centerline. In the first embodiment, the centerlines are located by first locating each successive pair of peaks in the respective edge count array, where each peak must have a magnitude greater than a first predetermined value, and then locating a centerline in a valley region between each successive pair of peaks, each of the centerlines having a magnitude less than a second predetermined value. Preferably, each successive pair of peaks in the respective edge count array is separated by a third predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of operating a bar code reader (16) in which one or more bar codes (25,26) are detected at different positions (X1, X2) within a scanning range of the bar code reader (16) by the latter, the scanning distance (d1, d2) between the bar code reader (16) and the respectively detected bar code (25,26) is found anf the position (X0, Y0, Z0) and/or the scanning angle (&agr;, &bgr;, &ggr;) of the bar code reader (16) is foubd from the respectively found scanning distance (d1, d2) and from known position data (X1, X2)of the detected bar code (25,26).

Abstract: A method of reading information out of a two-dimensional code made up of a matrix of cells having a given optical pattern is provided. The two-dimensional code has location symbols used to locate the two-dimensional code and alignment symbols used to locate the cells. The method first calculates a central position of each of the alignment symbols in an image of the two-dimensional code using a predetermined positional relation to the location symbols and selects one of reference patterns which matches up with an optical pattern formed with a pixel lying at the calculated central position of the alignment symbol and surrounding pixels. The method specifies an actual central position of each of the alignment symbols in the image of the two-dimensional code using the matched reference pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory cards and labels in the form of miniature bar codes using laser recording of optical storage media to create multiple updatable, miniature 2-D bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, 2-D bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: A method of reading a bar code having guard bars at both sides thereof without fail even if the bar code image is highly distorted. An image region taken in by a CCD camera is scanned in horizontal and/or vertical directions to find out a first guard bar in the bar code. Then, a first scanning line for reading the bar code is set in a direction perpendicular to the first guard bar. The bar code is scanned along the first scanning line. If the first scanning line goes out of the bar code region, the first scanning line is traced back to a bar which is last read. Another scanning line starting from the last read bar and extending perpendicularly thereto is set to read the rest of the bar code. This process is repeated until the second guard bar is detected and a whole bar code is completely read. The first scanning line may be set, so that it only reads a predetermined number of bars and the rest of the bar code is read by new scanning lines starting from the last read bar.

Abstract: A user interface is implemented using visual indicia and a background for the visual indicia that encodes address information. The background appears visually as a stipple pattern, but is implemented using glyphs which form an address carpet that encodes address information uniquely identifying each location of the user interface. An image capture device is used to capture an area of the address carpet that is at or near visual indicia of interest to the user while selecting a location in the visual indicia. The image capture device captures the area of interest, and transmits the image area to a computer for processing. The computer first determines the proper orientation of the image, and then decodes the information encoded by the glyphs. The decoding results in an X, Y address identifying the location of the captured area in the address carpet and, by reference, the address of the selected location. Based on the address, the computer may perform an operation associated with the area.

Abstract: A new bar code symbology in an exemplary embodiment employs three bars (and spaces) within nine modules, similar to Code 93. Fifty-three data characters are defined, including several special mode characters. By employing these special mode characters, together with certain routines, three symbol characters can represent two 8-bit bytes, or one 16-bit word. As a result, the symbology can efficiently encode 8-bit bytes for use in computer processing, or encode 16-bit character sets such as Unicode. Symbology encodes extended channel interpretation (ECI) numbers, provides multiple numeric compression modes, provides a structured append using a single mode character, as well as other features. Additionally, the symbology includes error correction, with a Special Features Flag character indicating use of error correction in a symbol.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory stripes of smart/optical cards using laser recording of optical storage media to create updatable, high resolution, two-dimensional bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, two-dimensional bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels on the optical memory stripe can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: A laser marking system encodes a code on an article, eg an article of clothing. The code is detected by a camera or other imaging system that does not require reflectivity for its proper operation.

Abstract: A digital information recording carrier has a planar recording surface having an information recording area in which meshes corresponding to bits are virtually set in a matrix form, each mesh being provided with an optically recognizable mark corresponding to digital information so that the digital information is recorded in the information recording area as a two-dimensional pattern. The carrier also has specific patterns each consisting of a plurality of meshes which are linked together and which are given marks in a given pattern. Some of the specific patterns are placed in an inner portion apart from a perimeter of the information recording area.

Abstract: A machine-readable record is provided for storing encoded information comprising a record medium, data glyphs written on the media in a two-dimensional array and a sync code interleaved with the data code with the sync code occupying every MAth and MBth glyph position in the X and Y directions, with MA and MB each being integers greater than 1, such that there is a multiple utility of glyphs of the sync code as common parts of first and second code sequences.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code includes a plurality of cells arranged in a predetermined two-dimensional pattern. The code comprises an information recording region constituted by a plurality of blocks. Each block involves a recording mode designating code indicating a recording mode of the information recorded in each block. Partial decode processing is performed for decoding the recorded information in each block in accordance with the recording mode specified by the recording mode designating code. And, the information in the information recording region is read based on the partial decoding result of the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A laser marking system encodes a code on an article, eg an article of clothing. The code is detected by a camera or other imaging system that does not require reflectivity for its proper operation.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code made up of a matrix of cells formed with dark and light squares arranged in a pattern carrying an optically readable binary-coded data, and a method of reading such a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code features a structure in which at least two data regions are defined in a data field of the matrix. One of the data regions retains a code represented by the cells having a larger size, while the other data region retains a code represented by the cells having a smaller size. The use of cells of different sizes in representing the codes allows the codes to be read correctly under different conditions.

Abstract: Inventive two-dimensional barcodes, each having encoded digital information in a bitmap representing preferably randomized encoded data bits, are printed onto a printed medium. Preferably, error correction codes are added to the digital information to ensure that the decoding process accurately reproduce the digital information. In one embodiment, the bitmap may further include “anchor” bits in each corner, which are used as part of the skew estimation and deskewing processes during decoding. In a second embodiment, no “anchor” bits are required. The encoded digital information is mapped into the two-dimensional barcode in such a way as to minimize the errors caused by damage to particular rows and/or columns, for example, row damage caused by faxing the printed barcode. To extract the encoded digital information from the printed medium, the printed medium is scanned, then the bitmap is located within the printed medium.

Abstract: A dot code is provided for recording digital data, such as multi-media information, as an optically readable code pattern, using various modulation methods, and a code reading apparatus is provided for restoring modulated information recorded as the dot code. The dot code includes a plurality of blocks. Each block has a marker section for recognizing the block, a data dot pattern section which is modulated to be structurally discriminated from the marker section and to represent modulated information, and a block header section as a non-modulation area which contains block address data. The block header section stores restoration parameter data necessary to restore the modulated information, thereby enabling the dot code to be variously modulated.

Abstract: A plurality of scan lines is used to detect characteristic features of a checkerboard structure or similar pattern structure of symbology within a field of view. The scan lines cross leading edges of the symbology which provides signals to a plurality of processors. The processors detect instances wherein sequential leading edges exhibit angular shifts corresponding to a pattern of the symbology. A further processor is used to detect when a coincidence of these angular shifts occur, thereby providing an indication of the location of the symbology within the field of view.